Photo: Jared Brosnan/WBZ NewsRadio
SOMERVILLE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The City of Somerville's Department of Health and Human Services teamed up with the Cambridge Health Alliance to hold a Valentine's-themed community resources fair Tuesday.
The fair was held at Somerville's Central Library and offered free sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests, Valentine's Day crafts, and information about community resources to help people stay safe year-round.
"STI testing is an important part of preventing disease spreading in our community," Somerville Health Communications Officer Connor McCombs said. "Anyone can get an STI if they’re sexually active, so it’s important to make sure that that’s available to everyone."
"It’s not popular information, but the STI rates are pretty high in certain parts of Massachusetts," CHA Community Outreach Coordinator Jason Centeio told WBZ NewsRadio.
Centeio said his goal is to break the stigma surrounding the testing process.
"It should be normal, just like calling the police if something’s wrong, going to get a flu shot because it’s that time of the year," said Centeio. "Every three months, if you’re sexually active, you should get tested."
Centeio also stressed that STI tests are completely confidential.
"Even if they’re not a patient at CHA, they can go and tested for free, confidentially, and there is no information that has to go home," Centeio said. "They will call you directly or wherever you want the results to go."
WBZ's Jared Brosnan reports.